BODIPY Compounds for Transparent Solar Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IR absorbers for organic electronics face issues with processability, thermal stability, absorption strength, and transport properties in thin layers, limiting their effectiveness in organic solar cells.
Innovation Solution
Development of compounds with specific molecular structures (general formulas I and II) that absorb red and near-infrared light, exhibit sufficient transport properties, and can be thermally stabilized for use in semiconducting components, allowing for energetic adaptation within the layer system and improved solar cell efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional IR absorbers are used in organic solar cells, then absorption in the non-visible range is achieved, but processability, thermal stability, and transport properties in thin layers are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of BODIPY compounds by introducing specific substituents (R1-R9 groups including aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, and functional groups) to optimize the balance between optical absorption properties and thermal stability. The core BODIPY structure (boron-dipyrromethene) is maintained to ensure strong absorption, while peripheral modifications enhance thermal stability and charge transport properties in thin film layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite molecular design combining the rigid BODIPY core with various functional groups and substituents. This composite approach allows the molecule to simultaneously exhibit strong IR absorption, thermal stability, and improved charge transport properties, resolving the contradiction between absorption capability and material reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymers are used in organic solar cells, then flexibility and solution processability are improved, but evaporation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using polymers and attempting to achieve evaporation capability, the patent inverts the approach by using small molecular weight BODIPY compounds that inherently possess evaporation capability. These small molecules can be processed from solution when needed while maintaining the ability to be evaporated, thus resolving the contradiction through reverse thinking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If small molecules are used in organic solar cells, then evaporation capability is maintained, but solution processability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The BODIPY small molecules are designed to be multi-functional: they maintain evaporation capability for vacuum deposition while also possessing sufficient solubility for solution processing. The molecular structure incorporates functional groups that enable interaction with common solvents, allowing the same material to be processed by multiple methods (evaporation and solution processing) depending on device requirements.
4Productivity
If multiple compounds absorbing at different wavelengths are combined, then full solar spectrum utilization is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the solar spectrum into different regions (visible and near-IR) and using a family of BODIPY compounds with systematically varied substituents to target different wavelength ranges. Each substituent pattern (R1-R9) can be tuned to absorb at specific wavelengths, allowing spectral segmentation without requiring completely different molecular frameworks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses parameter changes in the molecular structure (varying substituents R1-R9 on the BODIPY core) to tune absorption wavelengths across different regions of the solar spectrum. This allows a single molecular platform to cover multiple wavelength ranges, reducing device complexity compared to using entirely different compound classes for each spectral region.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compounds achieve enhanced absorption and transport properties, enabling the production of transparent solar cells with improved efficiency and thermal stability, suitable for use in tandem solar cells and flexible substrates.
Implementation Method 1
the compounds according to the invention absorb red and near-infrared light in a wavelength range from 600 to 900 nm
Implementation Method 2
A solar cell converts light energy into electrical energy. In this sense, the term 'photoactive' is understood as the conversion of light energy into electrical energy. In contrast to inorganic solar cells, in organic solar cells free charge carriers are not directly generated by the light, but excitons are initially formed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a semiconductive component with a layer system, in which at least one layer comprises a compound of the general formula (I) or (II).